Mexican schools to re-open

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-10-2009 10:32

Mexico's health officials have said that the country's deadly flu epidemic had passed the worst stages, but strict prevention measures remained in place. Primary schools across the country are due to reopen on Monday.

Mexico's health officials have said that the country's deadly flu epidemic had passed the worst stages, but strict prevention measures remained in place.

Mexican authorities have confirmed the number of people sickened by the A/H1N1 flu has risen by 259 to 1,578, while the number of deaths rose by 3 to 48.

All of the newly confirmed deaths occurred prior to May 6.

While grade schools nationwide are scheduled to re-open, officials in the western state of Jalisco decided to continue the school shutdown. Three people there have died after showing flu symptoms.

In Mexico City on Saturday, parents, teachers and workers joined forces in cleaning the schools in preparation for classes.

But things looked different just some kilometres outside the city. A lack of funds means schools struggle to meet even the most minimal health standards.

A school caretaker says, "we can say that the cleaning here will be to clean this part starting tomorrow and to clean this side with the disinfectant stuff that I have to buy. Because as a concierge I have to buy the soap, the disinfectant, the scourers. All that stuff comes from my salary."

While Mexican officials insisted the worst was over, Costa Rica reported its first death from the virus on Saturday. The A/H1N1 virus has now spread to 26 countries, killed more than 50 people and sickened more than 2,350 worldwide.

Editor:Qin Yongjing